(diva)logues

Fake it til you make it...

 

So I started a new job a little over a month ago that has absolutely nothing to do with being a fitness instructor, although coincidentally leaving the studio one day is exactly where I said I'd be interested in taking on this new role. 

 

It was random how it happened, but there really weren't very strict qualifications when I was officially interviewed and hired... "you have a pulse and you're standing... perfect.  Can you start this weekend?" 

 

I don't know if you've noticed, but everyone seems to be understaffed these days, and everyone seems to be hiring.  Do you want to work?  Because someone somewhere will hire you immediately.   

 

And if you don't want to work, at least be kind to those that are showing up.  Because patience and grace for others helps a lot these days. 

 

 

Anyway... there was a bit of a learning curve to this new job and suffice it to say the first couple days felt a bit overwhelming in what I needed to learn, know and do as part of the job… wait tables, learn the menu & computer system, run your food, bus your tables, sometimes be the hostess AND be your own barista for the very long list of coffee drinks on the menu. 

Insert Rihanna’s lyrics… SOS please someone help me… 

 

 

In my mind though, you can't ask God or the universe to keep you open to all opportunities and then say... "no, no, not that opportunity, I can't do this or that requires too much stepping outside my comfort zone." 

 

Pretty sure God would say... that's exactly why you have this opportunity... now get to work.

 

So as we were all finishing up yesterday and discussing the new gal that was just hired as a hostess who just had her first day, they all said that if you stay on for at least a month you're basically considered a full-time employee, because not everyone lasts more than a couple days around there.  And... I've been there for over a month now so I guess I'm in it for the long-haul.

 

Then the owner's son looked at me and said... "yeah, I wasn't sure about you on your first day, I figured you might not come back."  

I laughed and said... "well, I did feel a bit overwhelmed, I'm not gonna lie... but you just gotta fake it til you make it.  Well and keep asking a lot of annoying questions too.”  LOL

They all at least told me I wasn't annoying.  Other than maybe that time I asked the owner's son to help me with a coffee drink on like my 3rd weekend in a row of asking for help with my drinks and he said, "Deana... you're gonna have to learn how to do this yourself... just do it." 

Haha... ok then, sink or swim. 

So far I haven't had any complaints on what I've served so I'll stay positive and assume it's been ok.

 

It's a crazy atmosphere and no one is worried about hurting your feelings, so thick skin helps... (oh wait... had to develop that as a fitness instructor years ago) but I really like these people and I'm truly enjoying it at this point. 

I will say however, that on my first day of work, my boyfriend walked in to see how I was doing and I wasn't sure if I should smile because it made me happy to see him, cry because I was in over my head, or just ask him to kidnap me so I could leave. 

Thankfully things feel much less overwhelming now and I'm making it, more than I'm faking it.  LOL

 

But here's the thing about me.

I don't give up or give in easily.  Not on people, places, jobs, relationships, friendships, etc. 

In fact, it takes a LOT for me to give up.  And a lot of tears and frustration before I get to that point.

Hi... Taurus the stubborn-ass-bull, nice to meet you.

 

And then even when I do finally wave the flag and want to surrender... there will still be something in me that's willing to try again. 

 

At this point in my life, I've also learned to pray on things too. 

To ask God to guide me in my decisions.

To ask God to be my strength.

And even harder yet, to give my problems or worries to God at night and just try to go to sleep. 

I've learned to ask God to walk into a room before me if I feel nervous or overwhelmed.

I've learned to ask God to continue to give me opportunities where I can make a difference or an impact. 

 

In fact... life really does boil down to just that... where and how can you make a difference?  Large or small?  Where can you add value or make an impact?  Probably just about anywhere on any given day if you're willing and have a positive attitude.

 

There is much to be uncertain about these days... much, much to be uncertain and concerned about unfortunately.  But we can all make a difference in someone else's life.  We can all make a change to our OWN life.  We just have to WANT to make a change.  We just have to look for opportunities... not necessarily perfect opportunities, but be willing to try, learn or grow.  

And well... growth is never comfortable. 

 

When is the last time you stepped outside your comfort zone?

When is the last time you tried something new? 

When is the last time you trusted that it was ok to fail before you succeed? 

Failure IS in fact part of the path to success.

Photo cred: AD images 

 

For some, trying something new might mean stepping into a new gym or starting a new fitness journey.  

And with anything new, it can feel intimidating or awkward the first time you do it. 

And just like me starting a new job where I had to walk in brand new and learn everything, it can feel nerve-wracking. 

 

I've instructed at quite a few gyms and studios in the last 10 years though, and I can honestly say you won't find a more welcoming place to workout than Bloom Fitness Studio.  It is a friendly, non-judgemental, supportive, fun community of women all with similar interests in mind... primarily health and wellness.  For some it might even be an hour away from work, family, the noise of the outside world and time for self-care.

Self-care is NOT selfish.

It is in fact ESSENTIAL.

YOU are essential and so is your health and wellness.

And it's ok if you put yourself first on your priority list because without your health and wellness... well... let's just say you can't pour from an empty cup... and your family or work life will eventually be affected.

 

We have a few special deals right now on classes if you'll trust me and all the other truly cool instructors I work with to give you an amazing workout that's fun too!

That fun factor along with the amazing community of people who workout there is what will make you want to return. 

Photo cred: AD images

And while I'm probably better at fitness than I am at waiting tables... at this point if you ask me for a Bloody Mary or a Venti Caramel Macchiato with your meal, among many other choices... I'll try not to let you down on that either.

Although I'd suggest keeping those coffee drinks to a minimum, and "filling your cup" in a different way, because they look more like dessert to me... I'm just sayin.

 

Happy Monday!

XOXO

"Gotta blame it on my juice, baby... "

 

So I bought a juicer  last month and not gonna lie... I'm kind of obsessed with it.  I've posted a couple videos on TikTok and even did a live video on Instagram, where I attempted my first homemade juice ever with a "liver cleanse" recipe.  I wouldn't say that it was the best tasting juice I've made so far, but it was healthy and did serve a purpose.  And yes... I drank the whole thing if you happened to be watching & wondering once the video ended.  LOL

Here's one of my favs though... recipe AND well, the song too... because who doesn't love ELO? 

I mean... if you're a youngster, maybe not... but I grew up with them on repeat.  Especially Mr Blue Sky...

I didn't spend a ton of money on it, because I wasn't sure how I was going to like it or if I'd actually use it regularly... but I've used it quite a bit so far & I love it!  Minus all the clean-up... which takes just as long as the preparation!

Hamilton Beach Juicer Machine, Big Mouth 3” Feed Chute, Centrifugal, Easy to Clean, BPA Free, 800W, (67601A), Black

 

 

I've also been using my blender lately too.  If you're a pumpkin lover... here's a yummy recipe!

1 C. milk (I used coconut/almond milk)

1/4 C. pumpkin

1 scoop vanilla protein powder

1/2 banana

handful of ice

1/2 t. cinnamon

garnish with sprinkle of nutmeg

 

This isn't necessarily a meal-replacement shake, just more of an in between meals kind of snack. 

Protein-rich snacks can help to avoid your blood sugar levels from taking a nose-dive, which can also cause you to overeat at your next meal. 

We call that being HANGRY... & ain't nobody got time for that.

 

If you're looking for a great meal-replacement shake though,  Advocare makes a couple I love... Advogreens Meal Replacement Shake... chocolate chip cookie dough & salted caramel flavors, both of which are amazing.  I also love that they're plant-based protein shakes, with 26 vitamins & minerals. 

I mean, let's face it, most of us aren't getting all the vitamins we need daily.  Or greens, for that matter.  Although, I'm pretty sure I'm giving it a good college try with the amount of spinach I ingest every day.  Some might joke that it's excessive.  LOL 

 

Maybe it's the change in the seasons or the state of the world in 2020 that's making me really want to take charge of my own health & surroundings, but I'm on kick lately!

 

In other related news... Bryn was just home for the night & we even made juice for breakfast this morning. 

 

How about you?  Have you used a juicer? 

Let me know in the comments if you have any great recipes!

XOXO

"Beautiful people... champagne and rolled-up notes..."

 

Had lunch with a friend recently who was telling me about some of her current skincare obsessions, which lead to her purchasing this book... Eat Beautiful. 

I was intrigued because let's face it... I sometimes do judge a book by it's cover... and since it was pink with metallic gold lettering, I thought it was cute enough to be on display as a coffee table book if nothing else. 

But the content is great as well.  And quite honestly, it's pretty much how I eat most of the time. 

But if you're curious to know what foods are good for repairing skin cells, better digestion, detoxification, boosting your mood and more... this is a great read.

She talks a lot about how the food we eat, can either mess with our skin and prematurely age us... or nourish, not only our bodies, but our skin too.  I love it.  There's even a lot of recipes in the book with pretty pictures as well, if you're into that. 

And I don't know about you, but as far as this aging thing goes... I'm not going down without a fight.  LOL 

 

The obvious bonus to adding nutritious foods to your diet, while removing toxins like sugar & processed foods... is that not only will your skin look better, but your whole body will look and feel better... especially if weight loss or a healthier lifestyle is a goal. 

 

Coincidentally...on a similar note, I read this today & thought I'd share...

 

 

"The quality of your output is highly dependent on the quality of your input. What quality is the input you are giving to your life?

Vigorous, healthy activity, good nutrition, positive, truthful information sources all lead you toward favorable outcomes. So do beneficial habits, a variety of experiences, uplifting thoughts, and enthusiastic people.

If the results you desire are not coming out of your efforts, ask yourself this. What can you do to improve what you're putting in?

You can't make a quality product from inferior raw materials. To achieve the best outcome, start with the highest quality input.

Bypass the junk in your food, your facts, your friends, and your activities. Insist on truthful, in-depth information, quality nutrition, challenging work, and positive people in your life.

The quality of the life you live comes from the quality of what you put into it. Every day, every encounter, every choice, take the opportunity to give your life the best input."

- Ralph Marston

 

 

It's all food for thought and a good reminder to have more self care.

Detox your mind, body, refrigerator, home, timeline, contact list, environment... all of those things can weigh you down if they aren't healthy or positive.

 

Happy Monday... hope it's a great week!

XOXO

Souper duper...

 

Quick post about a new obsession... ♥

I don't usually promote things that are labelled "skinny" or "low fat"... because nutritionally that usually means that it's packed with extra sugar or some kind of preservative to make it taste better.  

So... yeah... steer clear of those products in the store.  If nothing else it gives a false sense of thinking you can just eat more of it, because hey... they said it's fat-free!  Ummmm... NO. 

Additionally...  I didn't reach for this product in the store because I think I need to lose weight or eat things that appear by the name to be low in calories.   Quite the contrary.

The reason it caught my eye was because it said VEGAN on the label.  I'm not totally vegan, as I do eat lean proteins like chicken, turkey, eggs & fish, but since Bryn has severe life-long allergies to dairy, eggs & nuts... I've become accustomed to reading labels since she was diagnosed at 3 years old.  And unless a product includes nuts... VEGAN usually means she CAN eat it! 

So I grabbed 2 different Skinny Souping soups to try.  If you're local, I found them at Fresh Thyme.  Here's the ingredients of the Spicy Super Greens soup:

 

All fresh ingredients.  No preservatives.  High in fiber.  And it tastes SO GOOD!!  

It's pretty low in calories too... thus the name. 

 

I checked out their website & apparently "souping" is a better alternative to a juice cleanse.   Unlike with juice cleanses... the fiber, vitamins & nutrients are all maintained in the souping process. 

 

Since a cleanse was also not my goal in trying this soup... I'll add that if you're like me & just going to eat it because veggies are really good for you... you could always add some extra protein like a few slices of grilled chicken or a handful of shrimp for a meal that's still healthy!

 

I've since gone back to try a 3rd soup... so I can now give a big thumbs-up for Spicy Super Greens, Tomato Ancient Grains & Broccoli Lemon Arugula.  And I'm patiently waiting for the others to be restocked so I can try more! 

It's BPA-free packaging, so you can heat it up in the microwave or just eat it cold... I like it both ways.  

 

Great way to sneak some extra veggies in your diet!

Also a quick way to have already-prepared meals ready to grab if you're lacking in time or desire to meal prep every week.

When you have already-prepared healthy meal choices, you're less likely to grab food that isn't good for your body.

 

And although I'm a fitness instructor that promotes EXERCISE... the biggest impact you can make for your body if weight loss is a goal... is in the kitchen.  "They say" it's 70% diet... and 30% gym.  And unfortunately, we can't out-exercise a bad diet. 

 

 

Anyhoo... obviously this soup isn't a cure-all, but it's worth trying if you want some healthy choices in your fridge.

And this isn't an ad, nor do I get anything other than the satisfaction of knowing that you might be inclined to add something quick & healthy to your diet.

 

And on that note... I do hope to see you in class as well! 

XOXO

Full of beans...

 

It's no secret that I love hummus.  I eat it often... almost daily. 

Actually I love beans in any form & whether I have hummus on hand or not, I almost always eat beans for at least one meal per day.  It is a great source of protein. 

 

Want guns?  Step up your protein game.  (Catalyst can help with that too!)

 

Lately I've been on a food processor kick & making my own hummus.  When I make my own, I can pretty much throw in whatever I happen to have & I can leave out the fat stuff like oils or Tahini (which is really high in fat & almost always in store-bought hummus). 

I must save the fat for my tortilla chips that I'm planning to eat with the hummus.  Ahem.

Or... carrots are ok too.  Note to self.

 

So a typical recipe is usually something like this:

1 can of beans (kidney, garbanzo, black, white... whatever I have)

1 handful of fresh spinach

1/2 can of artichoke hearts

handful of cherry tomatoes

hot sauce to taste (I like a lot)

jalapeno peppers to taste (I like a lot)

 

Mix in food processor & serve with chips, veggies or crackers.

 

It's basically like eating spinach salad, but mashed up in the food processor.

Bryn doesn't like the color of it... but it's brown from mixing red beans + greens in this case.  Not quite the same color if you go with garbanzo beans.  But if you can get past the color... it tastes great AND it's healthy.  Packed full of protein & even some added fiber with the fresh spinach. 

 

Well... it's healthy minus the chips I guess, but this girl's gotta have her chips.  

Eat it with carrots or celery if you're trying to cut calories though.  

 

Or... eat it with some wine & you'll no longer care about calories.

Okie dokie then... morning Body Pump class already in the bag.  Ready for more craziness to come with Zumba tonight!  #werock

 

Hitting the holidays with a jump start...

 

 

 

 

Clocks have been turned back, the weather is slowly changing & the holiday season is quickly approaching. 

It's that time of year when shopping for gifts is underway, holiday parties are happening, the days get shorter & the nights get longer.  The time on the clock doesn't feel the same as the time it appears to be outside our windows.   

What time is it for you? 

Are you on your list of "things to do?" 

 

I don't know how well you know me, but when it comes to working out... it's first on my list of things to do.  Even long before I started teaching it was first... which is probably why this is a good job for me.

At one point years ago Bob said to me, "Are we going to plan all our airline flights around your Zumba class?"

"Ummm well yes... if we can.  Why arrive early if we can't check-in yet anyway?"  LOL

And besides... if mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy.

 

Maybe I'm in the minority. 

Maybe the majority waits until they feel like crap & use the new year as a time, along with everyone else, to make some changes.  And then..... slowwwwwwwly drift back into old habits.

 

Are you waiting until January 1 with most of the population to make changes to your health? 

Or have you stuck with your resolutions from this past January?  I know some diehards that have!  YAY!

But what is magic about the new year that isn't magic about today?  

 

 

Change can happen at any given moment.  All is takes is the decision to do it.

Like Nike says... JUST DO IT.

 

I was getting ready to JUST DO IT... another cleanse, that is.  Thought right before the holidays would be a good time to get a fresh start again and thought I'd share some info.

A cleanse every 90 days is optimal for ridding your liver & kidneys of toxins.  And... like the change of seasons, our bodies & eating habits typically change throughout the year too.  I think it's safe to say we all probably indulge in more "comfort foods" and carbs in the winter, especially if you celebrate holidays like Thanksgiving & Christmas.  

I think it's safe to say a few more cocktails are consumed during the holidays as well. 

Or is that just with my family? 

 

I know sometimes cost is a factor in budgeting for your health.  Whether it's a gym membership, organic & whole foods, or supplements to assist in your health goals... cost can determine what we're willing to afford.

A simple 10-day cleanse is easy to do & won't break the bank.  It's a great way to re-set your body & jump start it for the holiday madness.

A little tune-up, like we do for our cars.  Keep the engine running better.

 

I put together a mini bundle of 3 products for a 10-day cleanse.  It's half the price of the full 24-Day Challenge, but FULL of benefits for your body.   Here's what the 10-Day Cleanse bundle includes:

1. Herbal Cleanse System
2. Omega Plex (omega 3 fatty acid)
3. Catalyst (amino acid)

I think I've mentioned a few times that Catalyst is my can't-miss-have-to-have-every-day supplement.  I love it.  It protects & promotes lean muscle mass so your body burns fat instead of muscle during exercise & weight management. 

I don't use Spark myself, because I don't do caffeine, but you could certainly add that into your bundle as well!

A little meal planning & prepping can help you achieve results & of COURSE you should exercise.  You KNOW I always promote that.

And lots & lots of WATER!!  On a normal day you should drink half your body weight in ounces.  For example, if you weigh 100 lbs.  you should drink 50 oz. of water.  But drink even MORE than that during the cleanse so the added Fiber can be pushed through your system. 

And water is FREE... unlike soda, Starbucks, energy drinks, etc.

 

Speaking of meal planning, here's my new favorite & EASY dinner... spaghetti squash.  I gave up pasta around the time I turned 40.  Also gave up pizza, bread... all those bad carbs that really did nothing for my body nutritionally & all it did was make me bloated.

Spaghetti squash is an awesome alternative to eating spaghetti.  And it is SO good!!!

Cut a whole squash in half.  After removing the seeds, I place them face down into a glass baking dish filled with a small amount of water (helps to steam it) & 2 tablespoons of olive oil.  Then I cover the dish with aluminum foil & bake at 375 for 45 minutes.

When you pull it out of the oven, grab a fork & scrape the inside of each squash... creating your "noodles..."

I just throw on whatever red sauce I happen to have on hand.  Last night I served it as a side dish with grilled chicken & salad, but you could throw in whatever pasta ingredients you like & make it your main dish as well. 

Put your health first so you can get through the holidays with lots of energy & NO illness.  And I bet everyone at your holiday parties will notice how great you look too! 

 

"I'm gonna pop some tags, only got $20 in my pocket... "

 

 

A few weekends ago, I sat in a very very cold gym watching Bryn's all-day volleyball tournament.  It was so cold, in fact, that I decided it would be a good idea to drive all the way home & get a blanket  when the first match was over since she had a 2-hr break before the next games.

I'd much rather the room be cold than hot, but this was ridiculously cold.  Even the players had blankets when they weren't playing! 

Stopped for some lunch on the way back & also decided to get a Starbucks so I'd have something warm to drink & something warm to hold in my hands for awhile.  It was the first time I've been there since May... as I decided to give up that daily purchase  when I started using AdvoCare products regularly. 

Not sure if you ever buy Starbucks coffees/drinks... but can I just say I'm so glad I gave that up.  Do you know how much that Venti Decaf Soy Latte cost?  And we're talking decaf coffee + soy milk.  No frilly extras... no whip... nothing except they had to use the latte machine to make the milk frothy. 

$5.15

Five dollars & fifteen cents!  I believe it was around $4.82 in May when I'd last been there, so it's gone up a bit.  But why in the holy heck was I spending that every day?  Like every day for over 5 years?! 

Habit... routine... tasted good... or I guess I'm just basically a dumb ass?  I mean for that price I could be eating a whole meal.... not drinking a coffee.  And  I could've bought a few Louis Vuittons for the money I've given Starbucks over the years. 

I've basically saved about $140/month... $1680/year. 

 

I've heard people say they can't afford to eat healthy.  They can't afford nutritional supplements.  They can't afford the cost of a gym membership. 

It "costs too much."

I've heard people say they're not sure what's in nutritional supplements, so they won't take them. 

 

What's in these products pictured below?  How much do they cost?  When is the last time you've read the labels for everything you put into your body... food, supplements, alcohol... all of it?   When is the last time you've added up how much you spend on "junk food"... food & drink that does nothing for your body nutritionally? 

What would happen to your grocery budget if you quit putting those items in your cart?  How much money do you think you would save every day... every week... ?

Would you change your mind about putting those foods in your mouth once you read the list of ingredients or do those ingredients not matter to you? 

I was forced to start reading labels for everything we buy when Bryn was diagnosed with severe food allergies at age 3.  I'm actually glad I was forced to do that because it made me start paying attention to what I was eating as well!

 

I had friend say the other day that our kids are part of the first generation that will likely not outlive their parents because of diets that are high in processed foods... and activity levels that are very sedentary. 

THAT is scary. 

THAT is sad. 

We have a huge problem in the US with obesity.  It is an epidemic.  Kids learn their eating habits from their parents.  And until they're out on their own, they are only able to eat what their parents bring into the house. 

The problem is... once they're out on their own, they need to learn how to eat healthy.  They need to learn WHAT is healthy.  They need to learn that just because a label says LOW FAT or FAT FREE... that it isn't necessarily healthy, nor is it going to help you lose weight. 

 

It is simply a matter of replacing one item for another... replacing one junk food item for one healthy item. 

 

When you think in terms of cost per serving...  it becomes affordable. 

When you think in terms of health benefits vs. health destroyers... it becomes a necessity, not a luxury.

 

Meal Replacement Shakes have 14 packages in each box.  That's 14 quick, easy & nutritious meals.  If you break it down by cost per serving, each meal costs only $3.50.  They are low in calories & packed full of all the protein & nutrients you need for an entire meal. 

 

 

Why are there always long lines for fast food restaurants?  Because we live in a very fast-paced society & people are usually on the go.  How much did you spend on the last "nutritious" meal you got from a fast food window though?  I'll bet it was more than $3.50.  I'll bet it wasn't low in fat or calories.  I'll bet it wasn't packed full of all the nutrients you need for that meal. 

 

 

One thing that is for SURE... if we don't take the time to care about WELLNESS now, we will be forced to make the time for ILLNESS eventually. 

And ain't nobody got time for that! 

That's what FIT girls are made of...

 

Saw an interesting list the other day via the Apartment Therapy blog [10 Things Productive & Organized People Do Before Noon].

When people ask me for advice about losing weight... 2 things I always suggest are DRINK MORE WATER & DO NOT SKIP MEALS... ESPECIALLY BREAKFAST!! Love that both are included on a list of things productive & organized people accomplish before noon!

 

And speaking of breakfast, since the article mentions that 31 million people SKIP breakfast every day (seriously???!!), I've got a great solution that will give you all the nutrients you need with a quick on-the-go prep time. 

Throw a packet in your purse with a bottle of water.  Shake it up & drink it. 

BOOM. DONE. Breakfast checked off the to-do list.

 

Pumpkin Spice & everything nice.  That's what fit girls are made of.   LOL

 

Annnnnd... it's a limited time flavor... a  flavor I'd say most people love in the fall & winter.  So don't hesitate on this one!  I recently tried using this with my protein ball recipe & it's REALLY GOOD!!! 

Of course you already know I love all things chocolate, so there's several more flavor choices here.

 

 

And I realized I do almost all of the things on the article's list except avoiding digital distractions before noon. I kinda do that the minute I wake up.   

What can I say except I can except I can't always be expected to be productive.  LOL

 

Speaking of the shakes though... I saw another way to use them on AdvoCare's Instagram account the other day.

With the holidays approaching, here's a quick & easy way to make a dessert that doesn't pack on the extra calories that most holiday treats do!

 

Pumpkin Apple Crumble

2 whole apples, cored & chopped

1/4 cup old fashioned oats, raw

1 Pumpkin Spice Meal Replacement Shake package

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/8 cup slivered almonds or chopped nuts [optional]

1/2 teaspoon vanilla [optional]

1-2 teaspoon honey [optional]

 

Place chopped apples in microwave for 3 minutes, stirring halfway through until apples cooked to desired texture.  In separate bowl, mix oats, shake, cinnamon & nuts (if using).  Add apples to dry mixture, along with vanilla & honey (if using).  Makes 6 servings. 

 

Bring on FALL, y'all!   Enjoy your weekend! 

 

Popeye the sailor (wo)man...

 

It's been awhile since I last posted here, but not for lack of anything going on.  In addition to the obvious ZUMBA & BODYPUMP classes, much has been keeping us busy.

And since Bryn's doing a day trip to a nearby lake with a friend today, I have some time to reflect.

 

Here's just some of the things going on in the past month or so.

I purchased tickets for Bryn & me to see Cake Boss live at a local arena.  Ordinarily I would've thought I could just stay home & watch the guy for free on TV, but when I had the chance to buy the tickets at half price I knew Bryn would be excited because she watches the show all the time.  She's become quite the chef herself.  We had fun & the show was entertaining. 

 

 

That cake was one of the cakes he decorated during the show & it's evidently one of their biggest selling cakes.... over 200 of that design are sold per week at their Hoboken store alone.  Wow.  It inspired us to make something similar for Bryn's birthday.  Since she has major food allergies to dairy, eggs & nuts and we aren't able to do store-bought cakes for her, we make our own creations every year.  We didn't buy enough fondant to do the entire cake, but we did use it for the polka dots.  (Oh & we did buy Cake Boss fondant.  It's the only fondant I've found, as a matter of fact, that doesn't have dairy in it).  She made & decorated the entire cake by herself with a little help from me on some of the polka dots.  She also piped the entire bottom border using nothing but a baggie with the end snipped.  She's quite the quick learner, that kid...

 

 

Speaking of her birthday cake, she just turned 14 yesterday!!  Oh my gosh...

 

 

And I recently turned a little older than 14.  Forever 21 to be exact. 

Or at least that's how I act anyway.  I'll grow old but I'll never grow up...

 

 

 

Although my sister just turned 40 right before my birthday and since she's younger than me I guess I have to own up to my real age.   Had a crazy bus trip to Fast Eddies in Alton for her big day...

 

 

Bryn's also been keeping up with lots of volleyball this summer doing "open gym" times & camps with her high school team she's hoping to make in the fall.  She's also been playing sand volleyball with her teammates from her winter club team...

 

 

AdvoCare has also been keeping me busy!  In fact I'm having a lot of fun with it & it's also inspiring me to change some of my eating habits too.  I completed the 24-Day Challenge last month, but since I have quite a few friends that are in the middle of doing the challenge or have just started it on Monday...  I decided to challenge myself to tweak some of my daily routine & hang in there with them too! 

One thing I have stayed consistent with during & since doing the challenge (& I think has caused me to see more definition in my body) is Catalyst.

At the beginning of April I took on a couple regular evening subbing gigs every week.  So for the past 2 months, I've been teaching 4 nights a week in addition to my other morning classes.  I'm used to being more of a morning workout girl... so these evening classes really started messing with my body.

One would think all the extra classes would equal weight loss.  However in my case, my body has adapted to working out for a living & since you can't out-exercise your diet, I was having issues of looking like I was 3-months pregnant because I was coming home & eating a big meal at 9:00pm every night. 

I did lose 3 lbs on the challenge, which basically was the 3 lbs I'd gained since April.  Aside from that though, Catalyst is causing me to see abs & more definition in my arms.  Do I want to look like a bodybuilder?  HELL NO.  And quite frankly, unless you're taking steroids, women don't produce enough testosterone to look like that anyway.  But if boys are going to start coming around with the intent of dating my daughter, I'm ok if they're even slightly intimidated by my guns. 

Beware future boys... I can & will kick ass, just sayin...

As for my eating habits, they are mostly good.  I've posted before about my typical day of eating, but as of Monday decided to cut out a few things.  First of all, I replaced my daily dose of dark chocolate with Meal Replacement Shake Protein Balls that I made.  Makes approximately 2 dozen & I just store them in the fridge.  Less sugar, more nutrients... still satisfies my sweet tooth...

I also quit drinking my daily decaf + soymilk from Starbucks.  This is not only saving me from useless calories, but also saving me from stupidly spending about $30/week.... $120/month.  Craziness.

Also decided to give up my beloved Kashi Go Lean cereal + almond milk + blueberries that I've been doing for YEARS & YEARS for breakfast... and replaced it with egg whites & spinach.

Yes, I know cage-free eggs are better, but for speeding up the process in the morning I bought the already prepared version of egg whites. 

• I grab 2 handfuls of fresh spinach & put it in a bowl  (I eat a lot of spinach all day long by the way... Popeye would be proud).
• 1/4 cup of egg whites that I just pour on top of the spinach
• microwave for 1:15 minutes & stir when finished
• I add a couple spoonfuls of pico de gallo + a few slices of avocado

SO good & I'm pretty sure I knocked out some more of my daily sugar consumption by replacing the Kashi cereal.  Even though that cereal is low in sugar & high in protein, it's still sugar none-the-less.  Sugar comes in lots of forms... NOT just candy, cookies & cake. 

 

 

This is another typical meal for me (lunch or dinner) that involves more fresh spinach.  My salads usually involve whatever I have on hand.  In this case pictured below I used:

• fresh spinach
• fresh red leaf lettuce from a friend's garden
• garbanzo beans
• sliced carrots & celery
• cucumbers
• tomatoes
• artichoke hearts
• grilled salmon

My dressing is my own quick way of making a dijon mustard vinaigrette.  I literally squeeze the mustard on top of my salad... pour on some white wine vinegar.... mix it up a little & boom... done.  I don't use olive oil & I don't take the time to prepare a jar of it ahead of time.  Why be that organized?  LOL 

 

 

If you'd like to jump in on a the challenge or would like more ideas for healthy meals or snacks...  I'd love to help!!  I don't do everything perfectly.  You know I love my wine, I love tortilla chips, I love chocolate...

I just really LOVE eating mostly healthy though & letting my workouts take care of the rest. 

Fit by the 4th!  There's still lots of time to make some changes if you're ready...

 

 

Happy HUMP DAY, yo.  Almost time to kick it in Zumba tonight... 

 

A crazy 40th birthday party...

 

I hosted a 40th birthday party for my friend last weekend.  The party started at my house with food & drinks.  I had a pink, black, zebra & bling theme going on.  Some of my ideas, including the cake, came from Pinterest.  Since we left my house on a karaoke bus (and yes... that means we could do karaoke on the bus) and then drove to a karaoke bar... I put a doll on the cake that had a microphone in her hand & when you pulled on her arm she sang.  I used a zebra patterned Wilton Sugar Sheet on top of the cake that I found at Michaels in their cake decorating section.  You can actually cut the sugar sheets into shapes if you want, but I just used the whole thing as is... 

I peeled off the labels from all the water bottles & wrapped them with zebra patterned duck tape that I found at Target...

 

Simple Dollar Store water bottles for each person, since we were allowed to take plastic or cans on the bus with us.  I added bling letter stickers found at Michaels.  Obviously the letter stickers aren't waterproof so they won't last on there forever, but certainly long enough for the night of the party!  Oh & if you have a thing for Sponge Bob... you just might need some Crabby Patty candies...

 

The lighted zebra print "present" was purchased at Christmas time.  I used it as decor on my mantle.  For the party though, I put my strobe light underneath it... looked pretty cute!

 

Lots of craziness & singing happened after that.  It was epic.  Such a fun & memorable night! 

Click on images to make them larger...

 

 

Don't Stop Believing that you might be an American Idol someday.  LOL

 

TGIF and have a FABULOUS weekend, everyone! 

I ♥ stamping onto patterned paper. Now if only I had tiny fingers & tiny scissors...

 

Another example of my new stamping obsession.  All I can say is, at least I'm putting a few of the too-many-to-count stamps that I have, to good use.  I'm also happy to say that my girls look a little less jaundiced than some of my other Copic creations.  You'll get to see one example of jaundiced skin on Saturday (aka. "World Card Making Day.") 

Went out to lunch with my friends today!  The weather was beautiful and we were able to sit outside on their patio.  Love when that happens.  My lunch was yummy too... cornmeal encrusted trout, green beans & sauteed brussel  sprouts.  And yes, I know what you're thinking... brussel sprouts?  Trust me.  These are AMAZING.  I think I could eat them every day.  Need to figure out how to work that out.  Heehee.  Thanks again, Christa, for lunch! 

Hooray for flag banners (and dessert)...

   

Today is my day to post over at the Nikki Sivils blog.  You can see this card, along with several other projects, using lots of flag banners (and punches, for that matter!)  Head over there to check it out if you have time today! 

Date night was fun!  It was utterly gluttonous, but we went home happy, as always...

After having seafood ceviche for an appetizer, salads, risotto for Bob & a grilled tuna for me... we moved on to Baileys Chocolate Bar for dessert and had, what we both decided, was the BEST dessert of our whole life.

And I quote from the menu:  "Carmelized banana, Baileys, chocolate & vanilla ice creams, nuts, homemade chocolate & caramel sauces, whipped cream... on top of a brownie.  Not for the faint of heart."  It cost $14 and was enough to feed an army (or... just Bob & me).  And seriously, it was gluttonous... like enough dessert for 2 days.  But damn, it was good.  Thank goodness we don't live very close...

 

Off to the Y.  You KNOW I'm headed there after that feast!  Have a GREAT weekend!  I hope yours is full of a few sweet treats, too!

Happy Independence Day!

I FINALLY scrapped these photos from last year's 4th of July!  It only took almost 365 days to do it.  But... when Jenyfur at SRM Stickers asks for some 4th of July-themed projects... it's GREAT inspiration... especially when you have some CUTE 4th of July-themed stickers...

 

I also FINALLY used some of my Jillibean Soup stash I'd purchased several months ago!  I love those bird houses SO much! 

With some of the rest of my stickers (and my Nikki Sivils' Craft Flags), I made some cupcake toppers for our BBQ last night...

  

Check out the SRM Stickers blog today for lots of 4th of July inspiration using LOTS of SRM Stickers!  The 4th of July-themed word stickers around the border of my page was inspired by the always-creative Jing-Jing Nickel.  See her ADORABLE page today, along with the rest of the team's pages & cards, and you'll have tons of inspiration for your own 4th of July projects!

I hope you're enjoying your weekend!

Stars & stripes forever...

It's Friday & we're ready for the weekend.  Bob's leaving the office early today to play golf with a friend this afternoon.  Bryn is going to see Toy Story 3 with a friend this afternoon.  And I am going to do a little more cleaning & crafting & getting ready for our BBQ we're having tomorrow night with our neighbors... a friend of Bryn's and her parents (the mom just retired from the Army!).  After everyone is back home today, the 3 of us are going out to dinner tonight... no cooking for me.  Yay!

I picked up some red, white & blue things from Michaels today on clearance & I think I have a menu planned for our BBQ...

 

Found free printables here for these popcorn holders & I plan to fill them with red Twizzlers & mini marshmallows for the kids...

 

We usually stay in town for the 4th since we have such a great view of several fireworks displays in the horizon from our back deck.  There's also a lot of fireworks going off in the subdivision, so we have "surround sound" during the display. Also, we have a big trip coming up so it wouldn't make sense to leave town right now, when we really should be thinking about packing. 

Speaking of packing (and stars & stripes), I'll be doing some sight-seeing very soon in this black & white maxi dress.  It was very cheap... Forever 21...

 and I'll need to dig this out, too... 

I'll be back on Sunday with a 4th of July page using my 4th of July SRM Stickers! 

I hope you enjoy your weekend! I, for one, am thankful for all the men & women who protect & serve our country every single day of the year.  Happy Independence Day Weekend!

Cupcake liners aren't just for cupcakes...

My Christmas shopping is ALMOST complete... yay!  The wrapping, however, has yet to begin.  That is, until this one little measly gift I thought I'd wrap to show you an idea on how to use what you may already have on hand.  Had to buy a roll a brown mailing paper over the weekend to mail off a package & decided I could use it along with the red/pink/silver color combo wrapping paper I was already planning to use for our gifts this year.  To dress it up a bit, I wrapped a green polka dotted ribbon around it & then placed a cupcake liner bow on top.  My bow was made using 4 liners that I just played with a bit to make each one look more flowery & then I added a green corduroy Nikki Sivils brad to the middle to hold it all together...

After making our cookies last night, I made some roasted acorn squash to go along with the grilled chicken that Bob made on the BBQ.  We all love squash & this is just too easy.  Take an acorn squash & cut it in half.  Place it on a baking pan/cookie sheet that has been lined with aluminum foil & then sprayed with a cooking spray to keep it from sticking.  Place the halves squash side down on the foil & bake at 400 degrees for 35-40 minutes.  I added a brown rice/quinoa mixture to each side when it was finished.  Would probably make a more festive-looking side dish at Thanksgiving, but since we love to eat it so much, I made it now!   

I got a little behind on my December Daily last week, so I'm going to try to play catch-up today since Bryn is at school late today for Drama Club.   

Happy Monday!

Just add some Sprinkles...

Had a nice & relaxing day yesterday... worked out in the morning & spent a couple hours at the pool.  We made plans to meet up with Sarah & Gloria again to return their gift from Julie that they had left at our villa.  We met at Sprinkles!  I've heard so much about their cupcakes, primarily from Sarah, & all I can say is sooo CUTE & sooo YUMMY!   

Although after reading the descriptions of all the cupcakes I thought, "I'll have one of each please!" we showed some restraint & left with only 4... pumpkin, mocha, red velvet & banana.  Sarah & Gloria were better & only left with 1 each.  (Although... they have Sprinkles at home & we do not!) 

We tried 2 of them after dinner last night (at Buca di Beppo) split them down the middle so Bob & I could each try both... the pumpkin & the banana.  YUMMO!  Bryn enjoyed an ice cream sundae... vanilla soy ice cream, fresh strawberries & banana slices + some cinnamon cookie crumbles on top.  We were all happy. 

And tonight... we try the remaining two... :-)

Feeling very happy...

Just a few of the MANY things making me feel so HAPPY right now...

I received surprise mail from one of the most talented artists I know.  Chris painted a watercolor for me & I'd swear she's seen my house because the colors she chose could NOT have been more PERFECT!  I got tears in my eyes when I saw it.  Is she not insanely talented?  Thank you, thank you, thank you Chris!

 

I have very neutral colors in my home with pops of red, orange, purple & lime green.  When I asked Bob if he noticed it on the counter he said, "She made that?!  I thought you bought it somewhere today.  She needs to sell those!"  Yes, everyone has been telling Chris to open an etsy shop.   

 

Last night my sister & her boyfriend came over for dinner & "game night."  I laughed so hard, my stomach & my back hurt.  SO MUCH FUN!  Don't get to see her nearly enough.  They spent the night because they were helping Joel's parents out with their garage sale this morning & they live close to us.  I woke to a note she wrote me about something funny from last night & started laughing all over again! 

I also woke up to this note in the doorway of my bedroom from Bryn...

 

Seriously.  I get notes like this almost every day.  Most of her notes are hand-written, but sometimes she'll get on Word & type them.  I tell her all the time that I am the luckiest mom in the whole world. 

Oh... and this makes me happy, too... 

I'm happy with only 4 squares... unlike Dark Chocolate Raisinets, which are just WAY too easy for me to overeat. 

It's a very rainy day, so I'm running 4 miles on the treadmill & then I may just have to hang out in the craft room for awhile.  What's making you happy today?  Could be a great starting point for your next layout! 

Hitting the streets...

Since Bryn was off to a local fair with her cousin & my parents (+ spending the night at their house), Bob & I decided to hit the streets!  We headed for an area we haven't been to in quite some time.  It's a young, artsy, college area with lots of restaurants, sidewalk dining & little boutique stores... perfect for a beautiful day.  It was still too early for dinner so we walked around & did a little shopping... mostly window shopping really.  It seemed a bit odd to me that in a tobbaco shop store-front window, there were a whole collection of bongs.  Only in The Loop, I guess...

I bought a black ruffly tank, that actually Bob picked out.  (He knows what I like!)  We also grabbed a couple smoothies from Smoothie King... love that place!  We wanted to have a glass of wine at Riddles, but they weren't open yet.  So... we moved on to the West End & found a table on the patio at Liluma.  Just when we decided to stay a little longer & share an appetizer, we felt raindrops.  So we moved on again... 

We settled on Clayton & went to Roxane's Wine Bar... & had some Shrimp Ceviche to hold us over until dinner.  Bob caught up on some of the days football scores from the bartender.  

Afterward it was Maggiano's for dinner.  They told us it would be an hour or more wait for a table, which didn't exactly thrill us, but we put our name in.  Right after we did that, though, we turned around & saw people leaving a table in the bar area, so we took it!  Gotta love when that happens!  We just ordered our dinner in the bar.  My Parmesan Encrusted Tialapia topped with shrimp was SO YUMMY. 

We headed back home after dinner for a glass of wine in our own bar.  It was raining by this point & I didn't want to be out & about really late, when we had things to do on Sunday morning.  Bob wanted to get up to drive to Illinois to visit his dad, I wanted to get up & run on the treadmill & then I had to pick up Bryn. 

We turned on our favorite jazz station, opened some GOOD wine & talked some more.  We called & said good-night to Bryn while we were sitting there, too.  It was a great way to end a really great afternoon & evening...

Date Nights...

Date Night #1 was FUN!  We had dinner at the new McCormick & Schmicks restaurant.  We've dined at that restaurant once, in Kansas City.  The appetizers were good... 1/2 dozen oysters & some calamari, too.  My dinner was ok, Bob's was good.  The wine list was ok.  I wouldn't say that either one of us would be in a hurry to return, but we enjoyed it & laughed a lot.  We went next door to the new Bravo for a glass of wine after dinner.  I had been to one in Kansas City for lunch with Marci & Mom, but since he's never been to one, I wanted him to check it out.  Seeing a trend here?  Kansas City gets restaurants before we do...

      

Date Night #2 is tonight involving dinner at a wine bar/restaurant + the musical "The Music Man" at an outdoor theater.  We are using my parent's season tickets to see the show, as they are at the Lake with Bryn right now.  At some point I need to finish packing for the Lake, as we're leaving tomorrow after we work-out in the morning & eat a quick lunch, but I guess I'll get that soon.    

While the phone & internet service was out in our area today (so annoying), I used the time to run on the treadmill & then make this page with a photo from my mom's birthday dinner...

  

I suppose I probably should've been using the time to finish packing, but some how scrapping takes priority... especially when I have the house to myself.  

Feeling good...

I just read Rinnavation.  I love Lisa Rinna & have been a fan of hers all the way back to Days of Our Lives.  I think I like her because she's just a few years older than me, but she's still doing all she can to look good, feel good & slow down the hands of time.  And like most of my role-models, she works hard for her body & looks better in her 40's than she ever did in her 20's.  I can very much relate to that. 

 It's a very easy read & I finished it in just 2 days.  In it, she talks about doing cleanses & detoxing.  One thing that works for her is SoCal cleanse, which I just ordered & received in only 2 days.  Super fast shipping & I didn't pay for that to happen either!   I also ordered some Spirulina to add to smoothies, for which she gives several recipes.  You can read more about each on their websites & she has her reasons in the book.  My reason for doing some cleansing/detoxing is really my sugar intake... specifically chocolate (or Dark Chocolate Raisinets, which I can manage to down quite a few of in one sitting).  While I do work my a-- off every day to allow for the extra calories, I've heard more than once that sugar really is the worst thing you can put into your body.  So... I'm making some positive changes.  I already have a multi-vitamin + vitamin D + Omega 3 that I take daily, but I just want to add more good stuff. 

    I have also made & tried her home-made cleanse she included in the book.  I have to say it's the oddest tasting thing I've ever tried, but I guess it works.  (2 T. of fresh lemon or lime juice, 1 T. pure maple syrup, dash of cayenne pepper & 8 oz. of water).  

Her Ballroom Body Blast dvd is a ton of fun, too.  Lately on my running days, I've been running for a 1/2 hour on the treadmill... about 3.2 miles... & then doing this dvd.  It's similar to my Zumba stuff I do on Mondays, so between LOVING Dancing With the Stars & LOVING Zumba, it's a win-win dvd.   And speaking of feeling good, nothing makes me feel better than a new pair of shoes (well, actually I have a list of things that make me happy that include more than a new pair of shoes, but you know what I mean!).  Here's my latest purchase, that I can't wait to wear with my "boyfriend" jeans & a tee... Found these lovelies here.  You can use 2 coupon codes at once (SUMMERLUV for $10 off any purchase of $49 or more and SHIP2ME for free standard shipping on $35 or more.) 

I have zero desire to be in my 20's again... ZERO.  But I don't exactly want to LOOK my age either.  No one's going to mistake me for a 20-year old (other than maybe that "blind" cashier at Whole Foods who carded me about a week after I turned 41... not that I was complaining, mind you), but I really don't want to LOOK my age either.  I'd rather look a few years younger than I am.  But the bottom line is that you can't just do it on the outside.  It starts with what you put into your body.  Junk in, junk out.  I agree with the general message of Lisa's book.  It takes some effort, but it's as simple as eating right, exercising & taking a few minutes on your appearance every day.  It takes as much effort to throw on a sundress & some flip flops to run your errands, as it does to put on some sweats & a t-shirt. 

When you FEEL good, you LOOK good.   

"Calgon, take me away..."

... is what I texted Bob this afternoon while out in the heat for 2 1/2 hours at the school "Olympic Games."  If only I knew when I volunteered to help out that I was going to have "Date Night" the night before, I may have reconsidered!  It was all good though & I can say I'm glad to be back at home, in the air-conditioning!  

Went to a restaurant called Sasha's Wine Bar.  For my local friends, it's a must.  We went to the location on Shaw, but they also have another one (supposedly smaller) in Clayton.  Wine bottles covered all the walls & they had cool wine bottle pendant lights hanging down above all the tables...

  

 

 

My sister joined us after dinner at the bar for a glass of wine...

 

We had the BEST time.  Bob & I spent the night at the Sheraton afterward. 

We are staying in town this weekend.  Bob is participating the Senior Olympics... in the basketball free throw & around the world events on Saturday morning & their 5K on Sunday morning.  We are going to visit his family in Illinois afterward on Sunday.  Hopefully I'll have some crafting time this weekend, too! 

How about you?  Plans for Memorial Weekend?  Hope it's a good one! 

Forty one...

... is great.  I would've never thought it would be... say 20 years ago.  But it seems that getting older is getting better.  And since we can't turn back the hands of time, trying to make the best of what IS... is the BEST thing you can do.   

Tuesday was FUN!  Met Christa & Stephanie for lunch at Cheesecake Factory... where else?  It's almost laughable how often I can eat their food and not get sick of it.  Anyway, I haven't seen either one of them since "Game Night" at our house last month & we had LOTS to catch up on.  Lunch could've easily gone well into the evening, but we left about 2 hours later (since we all had errands to run & kids coming home from school) & decided we'll get together again soon with cocktails next time... 

  

The Chocolate Godiva Cheesecake was beyond describable...

 

Of all the cheesecakes I've tried, I believe it was the first time I've had that one.  (Bob would later decide he needed some, too, the next day).  Thank you again, girls, for the GREAT gifts and your friendship most of all.  Oh & by the way... I went home & searched for & then purchased Christa's handbag.  They say that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery...

Yesterday was my actual birthday.  I woke up to gifts from Bob & Bryn, one of which was this watch...

...took Bryn to school & went to my Spin class.  LOVE that class.  Hurried to get ready afterward & met Bob for lunch at PF Changs.  My sister asked, "Isn't that where you went for Bob's birthday?"  To which I replied, "Yes, but we can't go there with Bryn (because of her food allergies) so when we get the chance... we go."  And... let's just say it's a good thing I married another Taurus.  We are BOTH creatures of habit.  As much as we LOVE to try new places, it doesn't bother either one of us to go back to a place we've been... again & again...

 

Yes, I did have on 2 earrings & no, one of them was not a bright head-light... but it does appear that way with the flash.  Now I know why I wear my gold hoop earrings all the time!  I stopped by Nordstrom after lunch, made a couple returns & found a dress for Date Night...

Bob said he'd bring home a surprise dinner, so Bryn & I went to Michaels after I picked her up from school.  I received a gift card for Michaels & it was burning a hole in HER pocket.

When I came home, I found this postcard in my mailbox... my BEST GIFT EVER...

 

Thank you to the Government for excusing me from Jury Duty!!!!! 

And the prettiest purple orchids were delivered from Sally...

 

More Chocolate Godiva Cheesecake last night for dessert because Bob had to try it too... but who's complaining?  Not me! 

Date Night tonight... and the party continues!

Busy... so what else is new?

New cards are up at the Let's Scrap blog.  This month one of our designers, Amanda, sponsored us & donated her hand-made tags to use.  The challenge this time was to use one of her tags + buttons...

 

You can check out her etsy shop for more goodies!

I am busy cleaning, running errands, getting my butt kicked at a class at the Y and preparing for a dinner we're hosting tomorrow night for some friends that are being relocated to another state.  I am making salmon.. I made it the other night to see if it was as good as it looked & yep... it's delish (and EASY).  Oh, and Tiramisu for dessert...

 

Have a GREAT weekend!

Celebrating...

 

Made a card for Bob's birthday during the Let's Scrap online crop last weekend.  The challenge was to use birds on a layout or card.  

We celebrated his birthday for the better part of the day yesterday.  I went to my Spin class in the morning & he went into the office for a few hours before we met at PF Changs for lunch.  It was delicious.  We don't go very often because Bryn can't eat there, so when we do it's a treat.  While he was in the restroom, I told our waitress it was his birthday.  She brought out a HUGE piece of chocolate cake, with 5 layers of chocolate icing & chocolate chips covering the outside of it.... drizzled in a raspberry sauce + some fresh berries...

  

It really was a huge piece of cake.  We ate most, but not all of it... as we had a big dinner planned with MORE dessert to eat (brownies that I made with Bryn & home-made cherry pie that my mom was bringing over).  After lunch, Bob was supposed to return to the office for cake with his staff, but kept saying, "I don't want to go back to work.  I just want to hang out with you for awhile, go work-out & then go home."  I said, "Then call them & tell 'em you're not coming back in."  So he did & we went to Macys to get a credit & then did a little shopping at Sams before going our separate ways for awhile.  It was a fun afternoon! 

For dinner I made a big pasta including shrimp & grilled scallops, tomatoes, broccoli, portabello mushrooms, onions, garlic & olive oil ... just kinda made it up as I went along.  We also had salad & wine, of course!  My sister came over with her new boot on.  She's still waiting on her bone scan results, but it fairly confident that she'll be wearing it for the next 4-6 weeks & is NOT happy about it...

 

Bryn suggested that she could hop around on 1 leg to get exercise and Marci's exboyfriend, Gerry, suggested that she could get a job at I-Hop, neither of which was very amusing to her.  Ha! 

  

 

The meal was yummy, the conversation always entertaining & Bob had a great day from beginning 'til end...